With each passing day, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 mess seems to get murkier, with no clarity on whether Pakistan will host the event completely. The row, which has been brewing ever since the ICC approved the schedule proposed by the PCB earlier in June, has snowballed over the past few months. It is now been catalysed following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event. While India’s stance was not unexpected, the ICC is left in limbo as Pakistan is unwilling to consider the hybrid model.
April 2024 – Pakistan chooses venues for Champions Trophy
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opted for Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi as the three venues to host ICC Championship Trophy 2025 matches. The decision was made in April 2024. While the venues were finalized, the PCB also realized that none of their stadiums met international standards. Hence, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ordered for renovation work in all three stadiums to be completed at steadfast speed.
May 2024 – ICC pitch consultant inspects venues in Pakistan
ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson arrived in Pakistan in May on a four-day visit to inspect the pitches across the three venues. His job was to inspect the playing facilities and provide ICC an expert feedback. Prior to Atkinson’s arrival, a three-member ICC delegation had arrived in Pakistan earlier for an initial round of inspection.
June 2021: Champions Trophy schedule approved by ICC
PCB received approval for the draft schedule by the ICC in June 2024. ICC did not make any changes to the schedule and instead said it will circulate it among other seven boards for their approval. As per the schedule, India were supposed to play all their matches at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
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July 2024: Proposed schedule for ICC Champions Trophy out
The proposed schedule for ICC Champions Trophy was revealed in July, with India set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan on March 1, 2025. New Zealand vs Pakistan was proposed to be the tournament opener and was scheduled to be held on February 19 in Karachi. The final is set to be held in Lahore on March 9. However, ICC is yet to make an official announcement on the schedule.
July 2024: No discussion between India-Pakistan at ICC conference
It was expected that India and Pakistan officials would discuss the former’s participation in CT 2025 at the ICC Annual conference held in July. However, no such discussions took place as the matter was not on the agenda. BCCI officials maintained that the decision on India traveling to Pakistan will be taken by the Indian government and not the board.
July 2024: ICC slams PCB for not making contingency plan, PCB reacts
At the end of July, the ICC was taken aback as PCB was yet to prepare a contingency plan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, should India refuse to travel. A few days later in early August, the PCB began work on a back-up plan, and the budget included the costs of scheduling India’s matches outside of Pakistan.
September 2024: ICC delegation arrives in Pakistan for final inspection
A six-member ICC delegation arrived in Pakistan in September to inspect the preparation at all three venues proposed by the PCB. The delegation, which included the heads of various ICC committees, had already visited Pakistan thrice in the past to oversee the progress in renovation work and more. The delegation was reportedly satisfied with the progress made in the renovation work in stadiums at Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
October 2024: PCB comes up with tiresome solution for India
In a desperate attempt to convince India to visit Pakistan, the PCB proposed to assist the Indian team in ferrying them back to India after every match. The suggestion was to take the Indian team back to Chandigarh or Delhi from Lahore after each of their match. However, the BCCI categorically rejected the proposal.
November 2024: India refuse to travel to Pakistan
Two weeks earlier, the ICC informed the PCB that India has refused to travel to Pakistan. Reports suggested that the Indian government had denied permission to the side to travel to the neighbouring country. As expected, Pakistan retaliated with a variety of threats, including pulling out of the tournament, boycotting future ICC events where India will participate, dragging India to court and strongly opposing the hybrid model. Meanwhile, PCB has also written to the ICC seeking clarity on why India refuse to travel to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, it came to light that the ICC is trying to convince Pakistan to adopt a hybrid model, as India’s non-participation would mean huge losses for the broadcasters and the global body.
